Bark & Bitter Launches World's First Fully Alcohol-Free Recreation of Historic Boker's Bitters Style

NIAGARA FALLS, ONTARIO (January 16, 2026) – Canadian non-alcoholic beverage producer Bark & Bitter today announced the launch of Boker's Best Cardamom Bitters, the world's first fully alcohol-free recreation of one of cocktail history's most influential and original bitters styles.

First produced in the mid-19th century, Boker's bitters were a foundational ingredient in early American cocktail culture, appearing in some of the earliest recorded recipes and shaping the flavour profile of an entire era of classic drinks. Bark & Bitter's modern interpretation revives this historic cardamom-forward bitters style for today's cocktails, with or without alcohol, while remaining true to the aromatic character that defined the original.

"At Bark & Bitter, we set out to create non-alcoholic cocktail ingredients that belong on the same back bars as the world's best spirits," said Nick Nemeth, founder of Bark & Bitter. "Boker's is one of the most important bitters styles in cocktail history, yet until now it has only existed in alcohol-based formulas. We wanted to build something that was truly alcohol-free from the ground up, while still delivering the structure, brightness, and complexity that made the original so essential behind the bar, in a format that works just as well for today's zero-proof programs."

Boker's Best Cardamom Bitters is built on a 0.0% alcohol base of vegetable glycerin and distilled water, and made using whole herbs and botanicals rather than alcohol-based flavour extracts. At the heart of the blend is green cardamom, delivering a distinctive citrusy, floral spice character, supported by bright top notes of fresh lemon and bitter orange peel, balanced with clove and layered with supporting botanicals such as catechu bark, angelica root, and star anise. A dry, gently bitter finish from quassia bark provides structure and depth, making the bitters equally suited to lighter aperitif cocktails and more spirit-forward classics.

The launch builds on Bark & Bitter's growing reputation as a category leader in non-alcoholic cocktail bitters and spirits. Since introducing its first line of alcohol-free bitters in late 2023, the company has received multiple international awards, including "Best Cocktail Ingredient" at the 2024 World Alcohol Free Awards for its Honestly Aromatic Bitters.

Boker's Best Cardamom Bitters is available now direct to consumers through Bark & Bitter's website and to bars and retailers worldwide via wholesale partners including Airgoods and Faire.

About Bark & Bitter

• Bark & Bitter is an independent, non-alcoholic spirits and bitters producer founded in 2021 by Nick Nemeth, and based in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
• Bark & Bitter's first product, Novara Aperitivo, has received numerous awards and recognition worldwide, including Non-Alcoholic Spirit of the Year in 2022 and 2023 at the New Orleans Spirits Competition, and a prestigious Gold Medal and a score of 95 in the 2022 IWSC awards based in London, UK. In 2024, Novara was awarded a Platinum Medal and Best Non-Alcoholic Spirit Alternative of the Year at the LA Spirits Awards.
• A portion of sales from all Bark & Bitter products are donated to organizations focused on developing mental health and addictions initiatives for the hospitality industry, such as Not 9 to 5 based in Toronto, Ontario.